English Entry 3 Learning Resource Different Purposes of Texts Rt/E3.2 Rt/E3.3 Rs/E3.1
Contents Purposes of Text Rt/E3.2 Pages 2-3 Texts of the Same Type Rt/E3.2 Pages 4-7 Instructional Texts Rt/E3.3 Pages 8-13 Rs/E3.1 West Nottinghamshire College 1
Rt/E3.2 Information Purposes of Text All texts are written for a certain purpose and audience. The purpose of a text could be to: inform; persuade; instruct; entertain; explain. When a text is written, it is written for a certain audience too. For example, a college leaflet would be written for students; a recipe would be written for someone wanting to cook something. You also need to adapt the language that you use, depending on your audience and your purpose. For example, if you were writing a leaflet for young boy scouts, you wouldn t use long words that they are unlikely to understand. You would also use words that would interest them like camping, badges, cool and great. If you were making a poster to advertise a local fair to local people, you would need to use persuasive words like fun, free and for all the family. When you write a text, you need to make sure that the language is suitable for the reader that it will interest them and that they will understand it. Informative texts These give us facts and information about things. They do not include opinions or emotional language. Examples are: timetables; TV guides; dictionaries. Persuasive texts These try to convince you to do something or believe something. They give opinions and use emotional language. Examples are: holiday brochures; adverts. West Nottinghamshire College 2
Rt/E3.2 Instructional texts These tell us what to do or how to do something. They often use a numbered or bulleted list in a step-by-step way. They sometimes include a picture or diagram. Examples are: recipes; DIY manuals; instructions for household equipment. Entertainment texts These tend to be very descriptive to keep the reader interested. They can use drama, humour and emotional language. Examples are: stories; poems; comics. Explanatory texts These explain the reason for something. They use facts and not opinions. Examples are: science books; reports; dictionaries. West Nottinghamshire College 3
Rt/E3.2 Information Texts of the Same Type Texts of the same type can have different purposes, e.g. a letter. You may write a letter to a friend in Germany, telling him about your life in England. This would be for entertainment purposes. You may receive a letter telling you that you have been invited for a job interview. The purpose of this letter would be to inform. Exercise 1 Read the texts and decide on the purpose of each one. Choose from: informative instructive entertaining persuasive explanatory 1) Crimpton Council will be holding a public meeting to discuss the new by-pass on Tuesday 8 th October in the Town Hall. 2) Rooney s goal was the best I ve ever seen. He dribbled past four defenders before firing a thunderbolt shot into the top corner of the goal. 3) Why not take your family to see the new film showing at the Odeon this week? It will entertain the whole family. Right now, children under 12 are FREE! 4) Fill in the form and send it with your picture. Don t forget to send us a cheque for 10 if you want a t-shirt as well. Once complete, send to: The Daily News Smith Road Clompton CN17 3TW West Nottinghamshire College 4
Rt/E3.2 ) Hefton Council would like to apologise for the noise suffered by local residents on Third Avenue, caused by the roadworks. This is because the council are laying a new drainage system there. 6) This product may contain nuts. 7) Do not enter! 8) I m sorry, but I won t be back until after 6 pm as I need to visit the dentist about my tooth. 9) Once upon a time, there was a fairy princess who lived in a beautiful castle surrounded by a magical forest. 10) Come to the Red Lion it s 2 for 1 on all main meals! West Nottinghamshire College
Rt/E3.2 Exercise 2 Read the following extracts from letters. They have all been written for different purposes. Select the correct purpose from the following: informative instructive entertaining persuasive explanatory 1) Dear Mrs Sharma I am pleased to inform you that your appointment at the eye clinic has been made for Monday 1 th November at 10:00am. 2) Dear Parents We have a great sale on all children s toys at the moment most are ½ price! We have also enclosed some vouchers spend 0 and you will get off next time. Hurry, it s for this weekend only! 3) Dear Mr Sharma You have been selected to do jury service between the 10 th - 22 nd January 2011. You need to advise your employer as soon as possible and also contact this office to confirm that you have received this letter. 4) Hi Adele I am having a great time here in Australia, it s fantastic! Yesterday, I went to the local conservation park and I helped to feed the elephants and rhinos. One of the elephants squirted me with water and I was wet through it was so funny! West Nottinghamshire College 6
Rt/E3.2 Exercise 3 What type of texts would you use in the following situations? Choose from the following: Instructive informative persuasive entertaining To try and sell your car A leaflet about a college course To help someone bake a cake To help someone get to Manchester To ask a busy friend to have a night out A story to tell a child at bedtime A dentist writing to a patient about their next check up A joke for a Christmas cracker West Nottinghamshire College 7
Rt/E3.3 Rs/E3.1 Information Instructional Texts Instructions are texts that tell you what to do or how to do something. We often see them in our daily lives. Some examples are: recipes DIY instructions manual for a new appliance (e.g. television) directions safety signs Language of instructions Instructions are written in a certain way in the imperative. Imperative sentences are sentences that give you an instruction. Examples Stir until sauce thickens. Shut the door. Take the third road on the left. Imperative sentences often start with a verb (doing word), like the examples above, and don t have a subject. Instructions are written as though they are talking to you because they are telling to what to do. Sometimes, before the verb, there will be a linking word like: firstly, next, then or finally. These also help the reader to understand the order of the instructions. Layout of instructions Instructions can sometimes have a list of ingredients or tools required. The instructions are also usually numbered or use bullet points to make them easier to follow. Instructions can also include a picture or diagram to help you to understand what the thing you re making/doing should look like, or simply to help you to put it together. West Nottinghamshire College 8
Rt/E3.3 Rs/E3.1 Example Fire alarm 1. If you hear the fire alarm, exit the building by following the fire exit signs. 2. Do NOT use the lifts. 3. Assemble in the main car park by the yellow railings. 4. Wait to have your name ticked off.. Go back into the building only when the alarm has stopped AND the fire wardens have advised you that it is safe to do so. This text uses imperative (instructive) sentences and the verbs are mostly at the start of the sentences. The instructions are numbered to make them easy to read and follow. West Nottinghamshire College 9
Rt/E3.3 Rs/E3.1 Example The above text is a recipe. There is: a picture of what the finished product should look like; a list of ingredients; numbered instructions; linking words e.g. firstly, next and it is written in imperative sentences. West Nottinghamshire College 10
Rt/E3.3 Rs/E3.1 Example The above text is an example of instructions on how to make something. At each step there are diagrams to help you make it. The steps are numbered again and use imperative sentences. West Nottinghamshire College 11
Rt/E3.3 Rs/E3.1 Exercise 4 Tick the sentences that are imperative (instructions). 1) What are you doing this afternoon? 2) I travel to work by train 3 days a week. 3) Turn the oven to a low heat after 1 hour. 4) Jason went to the hospital about his eye. ) Bend your knees when picking things up off the floor. 6) What time shall we meet tonight? 7) Shut the window when leaving the office at night. 8) Wash your hands before eating. 9) Help me! 10) The car hit the wall at very high speed. West Nottinghamshire College 12
Rt/E3.3 Rs/E3.1 Exercise Underline the verbs (doing words) in these instructions. Directions to Swan Centre from Dutton. 1. Go to the A323 towards Sulley. 2. Take the third exit at the roundabout towards Sulley. 3. Next, turn left at the Oak Tree pub. 4. When you reach Sulley Park, turn left towards Sulley town centre.. Take the second exit at the next roundabout. 6. Travel down this road for about 3 miles until you reach the T junction. 7. Finally, turn right at this junction. The Swan Centre is about 2 miles down the road on the right. Exercise 6 Number these instructions in the order that they should be in. Chicken Stir Fry For the last few minutes, add the noodles to the wok and stir all ingredients together. Finally, stir in the sauce and turn off the heat. Secondly, add the chicken and keep stirring until lightly browned. Next, add the onion, peppers and sweetcorn and stir for about 4 minutes. Firstly, pour a tablespoon of oil into a hot wok. West Nottinghamshire College 13